Harvest Moon 2011: Special Full Moon In September

Harvest moon can be viewed clearly in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend, according to a report by Space.com today, Sunday, September 11, 2011.

This special full moon of September was called Harvest Moon, because, its low appearance in the southeastern sky enables farmers to extend their harvesting time. In the early days before electricity was discovered, bright moonlight after sunset is being maximized by farmers in harvesting their ripening crops.

Harvest Moon is similar to this Full Moon Seen behind the Very Large Telescope in Chile’s Atacama Deser Image Credit: Space.com

During the presence of Harvest moon it rises from 25 to 30 minutes later across the United States which is reportedly at least 25 minutes earlier than the usual. The moon rises in just 10 to 20 minutes in the Northern Hemisphere locations that include Canada and Europe.